I am planning an attempt to see or hear as many species as I can in the next year, with the ultimate goal being one-thousand or more.  My focus will be on birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects and spiders.  There may be a few other categories, but definitely not plants, trees, fish or anything not visible to the naked eye.  My territory will be the ABA (American Birding Association) area, which includes the lower 48 states, Canada, and Alaska.  The journey begins on January 1, 2014.  Growing up on a farm in Kansas, I have been interested in birds and bugs since I was 10 years old.  While I did not choose a career in a nature-related field, I have never lost my passion to find and identify every type of creature.